AIR SUPERIORITY

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 62, Issue 88, 24 January 1942, Page 5

AIR SUPERIORITY

RUSSIAN AND GERMAN PLANES. ADVANTAGE WITH THE SOVIET. SPEED AND FTGHTiXG-POWER. (United Press Association—Copyright.) (Rec. 12.45 p.m.) LONDON. Jan. 23. Lho Russian Air Force has beaten Germany’s strongest card, the Luftwaffe. Despite modifications the Germans are unable to surpass the flying capacities of the Russian planes. A Russian Air Force official, Colonel Stela novsky, who regularly inspects German planes which have'been shot down, says this in an article, ill tut* Soviet War Ninvs.” Ho adds that the study of hundreds of German planes enabled the detection of modifications introduced under the influence bf the Russian-German war. The Germans began with fighters 20 miles an hour slower than Russia’s and bombers from 23 to 30 miles slowep. The necessary modifications were a serious embarrassment to the IGermans but they embarked on an unprecedented programme of modernisation. They improved the flying and tactical qualities, particularly speed, chiefly by increasing horse-power. They also modernised the structure of the planes wherever mere replacement of the engine did not improve the flying qualities. The Germans mounted powerful new arms on the/old and therefore most vulnerable planes. The German air weapons, particularly cannon, were markedly inferior to similar Russian types. The Russian cannon surpassed the German in the rate of fire, range and piercing power, and the Russian planes so far generally were far better firmed than the German. SIX TOWNS RECAPTURED. (Rec. 12.45 p.m.) LONDON. Jan. 23. A Russian communique announces the recapture of Koholm, Toropets, Toropa, Zapadnayadvina, Olenino and: Andrea pol.